WHOLE LOT OF WHOLE FOODS?

I know we are about to get an awesome new Whole Foods at Preston Forest when the Forest Lane store relocates to the southeast corner of that intersection, but any of you guys hear that we are also getting another gigantic Whole Foods at the corner of Park Lane and Central Expressway? Like the biggest one in the whole U.S. of A.?

BAKE-OFF

Here is Roger’s lovely wife, Kim, putting one of Expo Design Center’s new kitchens to the test for us. We just finished our photo shoot yesterday, and our story will appear in D Home’s October kitchens and baths issue.
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POWER OF THE STARS

Doesn’t look like a home entertainment center, does it? What a great boy toy! This is one of many amazing home theatre/entertainment mini empires that you can have in your home. Check them out at StarPower’s grand opening tonight at its newest location on Cole Avenue next to Milestone Culinary Arts Center who will, surprise surprise, be doing the hors d’oeuvres. And talk about stars…Deion Sanders, Nancy Lieberman, and Pat Summerall are said to be coming to rub shoulders with all the high-end clients checking out the stars on electronics. Jot down this address: 4615 Cole Ave. Oh, I forgot: we no longer jot — we copy and paste and then send it to the screen…

RE: MISSONI ONLINE

I think you’re right, Rebecca, there is an online price threshhold–at least for furniture. About 10 years ago, when the techies were predicting the end of brick and mortar shopping, greedy web designers were approaching the major furniture manufacturers to cut out their local showrooms and go directly to the designers. Looking at the size and extravagance of new showrooms, you know that didn’t happen. We found that people will not spend over $5,000 for seating without trying it out. So, maybe a Missoni rug, but please don’t buy an Armani Casa sofa without trying it out.

MILLION DOLLAR LISTING

Naturally, given what I do, I had to watch the season premiere of Million Dollar Listing on Bravo tonight (comment: when did TV channels start having names?) — the saga of Realtors selling million dollar homes in and around LA. Except they were not million dollar homes — try $2.5 ish to $10 million dollar homes. Honey, this is LA. A million here buys you a postage stamp. I learned so much! Realtors have a tough time acting as agent for both buyer and seller, you should probably not represent your ex-boyfriend (even if he is sexy), buyers can nit pick the inspection process — this ridiculous buyer, I hated her, wanted to re-negotiate a $2.8 million deal over missing outlet covers you can buy at Home Depot for a quarter — and open houses can be scary. People come in who have had very bad plastic surgery. A trendy new hobby in LA is to go to open houses just for fun. Oh, and for drinks, since Californians hold their open houses from 5-7 p.m., with champagne.

I can hardly wait till WE start Happy Hour open houses here in Big D! Sure makes it easier to deal with… clients!

GREAT GIFTS AT NASHER

Yes, I know that the MOMA catalogue has so many cool, modern gifts, and it is fun to brouse through–but don’t forget the museum shops here. Voted “Best Museum Shop” by none other than D Magazine, the Nasher has some of the coolest gifts around. Well priced and unique. Get a catalogue, or better yet, go to the museum on Friday nights and enjoy (hopefully) some cool weather.

RE: TACTILE TIDBITS

Christine is right; these robes feel amazing. I’m not one who finds much use for a robe–I’m an out of the shower, into my clothes, out the door kind of guy–but this one has me thinking about going to robes full time. There are what, five different colors? That’s one for every day of the workweek. And I’m sure I could accessorize these puppies with some awesome house shoes.

PLATE HOLDERS

Interesting home tidbit: I, against the advice of many interior designers, hang plates on my walls. I am a blue and white and Delft freak, and when you have so many blue and white plates, what else can you do besides hang them on the wall? So I was pretty surprised when the ceramic backing on one gave way, thankfully before the plate came loose from the wall, fell and crashed to an unfortunate (and messy) destiny.

The good folks at Art Dallas have found a museum-quality solution: acrylic arms custom made for each plate to grip it, and then, voila, hang it on the wall. They have also solved another major problem I have had for three years: how to hang an interesting ceramic mask I bought at an antique shop in Miyajima, Japan. This acrylic deal will be custom made to grip the mask, and finally, I can hang it on the wall!

I’ll take photos of these holders as soon as I get my plates back from Art Dallas… stay tuned.

TACTILE TIDBITS

RE: The Peacock Alley robe. Per a request, I did a price check–$90. Also three other staff members were tactilely impressed. As I said before, so soft.

YOU HAVE TO FEEL IT TO BELIEVE IT

Related to what Rebecca just wrote about Missoni, I love beautiful photos, but sometimes you’ve got to see it (or feel it) in person to love it. This I’ve seen and felt, and I love it. Robes, throws, and travel pillows from the Resort Collection at Peacock Alley are oh-so-soft. Actually I need a word that goes beyond soft, something that means really, really soft. The material is Chelour, and the result is a creamy texture that they say improves with laundering and wear (can it be true?). Head over to Peacock Alley, and put on one of these robes. Just don’t blame me if you never take it off again.

MISSONI RUG AT NEIMAN MARCUS ONLINE

This georgeous, op-art inspired black and white rug is designed by Missoni and available through Neiman Marcus — but only online. Neiman’s response to the arrival of New York retailer Barney’s is a curious one. They’ve picked up Armani Casa, Missoni and Fendi home, but you can’t see any of it at the store. It’s all virtual. Will customers spend thousands of dollars on something they can’t see or touch in person? Possibly. Collectors bid all the time on the Internet for priceless objects, trusting the dealer’s or the auction house’s reputation. I’d trust Missoni to produce a rug worthy of its $2,289 price tag, sight unseen. Still, I’d really like to see Neiman Marcus do something exciting with its in-store home decor shops. Make us get out and dream and admire and buy. Hometown loyalty has its limits.

HOUSE GOLF BUILT II

An interior shot of Tiger Woods’ home…

THE HOUSE THAT GOLF BUILT

With summer waning, I decided to fete you with images of Tiger Wood’s beach-front home. Mr. Woods, btw, has just joined the happy club of Golden Doodle owners.

UBIQUITY OF URBAN CHIC

I got pretty excited when I received a large envelope from Ralph Lauren Home. (I was hoping for a 40 percent off coupon.) Instead it was a trifold glossy promoting their new collection, Modern Metropolis, “a chic urban lifestyle that draws inspiration from luxury sports cars…” Luxury sports cars? That was a little lost on me, but one thing that wasn’t was another reminder that everyone is going urban chic. To see RL’s take on this, visit here. Don’t miss the video, replete with jazzy lounge music, showing a suave black-turtlenecked model striding through a luxurious penthouse bedecked in browns, grays, and blacks. Amongst the sumptuous couches and crystal-covered table, the hunk pours himself a drink, leans by a bookshelf to glance through a book, emanating the languorous indulgence of the aristocracy, but of course, it’s very sexy.

DESIGNER PAINT FROM DALLAS

This just in…a new paint is being developed by a Dallas-area painter in conjunction with two well-known, high-end New York designers, and the paint will be distributed from our area. Details as they become available.

AWARD FOR WHAT?

I visited Metrocon today with Loyd Zisk, and I find it just a little hard to believe that this is the largest design related trade show in the country. Oh well. After hearing that Herman Millerwon best new product, we decided to go see. They got the award, but they don’t know for which product they won. The person who gave them the award forgot to tell them. Hmm, was it the Celle chair with suspension and cellular support, or the My Studio office system, that is like a little play house–so cool, I want one in my family room. Please knock before entering.

BE FESTIVE AT DINNER

Last night, I didn’t really want to cook, but I didn’t really want to go out either. Has this happened to you before? So I stopped by Festive Kitchen in Snider Plaza. I picked up some thoroughly delicious enchiladas and an oven-hot tip. Now through Wednesday, all freezer items are 15 percent off. Stock up on all the favorites: green beans, spinach Madeleine (I did), green chili chicken quiche, sesame chicken breasts, garlic parmesan rolls, etc. It’s always good (or rather, bad) to have some of their gourmet cookie dough or desserts in the freezer. You know, for special occasions.

PLASTICS + COUTURE = WHAT WE SAW LAST NIGHT

More than 10 million plastic surgeries were performed in the United States last year… and yes, Peggy, we saw evidence of that all night long. (My husband and I play a little game that I cannot blog, but it involves a certain part of a female’s anatomy and who created it — ah, them — for her.) I heard a fact that one of the hair care companies sells more blonde bleach here than anywhere else, but don’t ask me to fact check that one. I’d rather do plastic surgery on my home than on me.

KORSHAK HOME

Candy, you’re right, Stanley Korshak was packed with all the beautiful people. Have you ever seen so much cosmetic surgery, and why is everyone blonde? The least crowded area was the Home Store, which is a shame, because I think it’s the most exciting. If you missed it last night, go see my friend Donald and let him show you what’s new–how about a porcelain vase embroidered with yarn, or the new trend–baroque cut-outs. Maybe he’ll even have that incredible jacket on again.

GENIUS!

Note: As I was telling the staff yesterday, I reserve the exclamation point for only the most fitting occasions. This is one of those occasions. Sur La Table, which is always coming out with inventive kitchen tools, has some sweet silicone products–such as collapsible measuring cups, reusable baking cups (shown at left), and collapsible strainers ($14.95) that expand for use and collapse for storage. Thanks to our editorial assistant, Hannah, for this space saving tip. Now, what are you going to do with that extra cabinet space? I bet Sur La Table has some suggestions.

HOW TO SELL A HOME CREATIVELY

I am wondering if anyone here is seeing any evidence of this in Dallas, Southlake, Frisco, as reported in the New York Times? I can see the Dallas possibilities: Buy my house, and you’ll get two Saturdays a month at the DCC, plus we’ll pay the greens fees. Buy my house, we’ll cover pool maintenance for a year. Buy my house, I’ll cater your child’s bat mitzvah. Buy my house, one free facelift. Buy my house, I’ll leave my wife…with the house!

HAPPY BDAY TO KORSHAK!

Stanley Korshak’s 21st birthday bash last night was awesome. Everyone was there, I will not “name names,” that is so tacky. I heard from no other than the party’s Main Brain, i.e. the lovely Elaine Raffel, or rather from her husband Bob, that the line to get in was half a block long. It was crowded, but perfectly crowded, not claustrophobic, and people were spread out on all three floors, in the home store and the Shak. And of course there’s the Piazza where the band played–Emerald City I think (correct me if I am wrong, cannot fit notebooks in those teeny dress handbags), people danced, smoked cigars. Food from Bice in Couture was fabulous; Nobu had sushi. (I had sushi for lunch. We have a taste test coming in our next issue.) Felt like I was back at a great Neiman’s In-Circle party, only way better!

Happy Birthday, Stanley Korshak, i.e. Crawford Brock–and many, many more…parties as fun as this one.

TEENY TINY BATH?

Before I run out to Stanley Korshak’s 21st birthday bash (hope there will be cake!), here are some tips from the Kohler Company on decorating when all you have gotten out of life is a small bathroom… let it be a pretty bathroom…. pretty. That’s a word Carleton Varney said we don’t hear enough of anymore when it comes to interior design.

MELETIO LIGHTS

Meletio has been named as a finalist for lighting showroom for the ARTS Award to be awarded at a gala at the Dallas Market Center in January. This is the Home Decorative Accessories Industry’s highest award. And, the Dallas Market Center just happens to be the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource.

ROUND TWO: BIGGER AND BETTER

We got a taste of luxury retailer back in 1990, but it closed in 1997. Now (rejoice!) an 88,000-square-foot Barneys–the third largest behind New York City and Beverly Hills–is opening at the end of September as part of the colossal NorthPark expansion ($200 million).